What Is the Best Crappie Bait at Night

Are you an avid crappie angler who loves fishing at night? If so, you know that catching crappies can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. But what is the best bait to use when the sun goes down? As crappies are more active at night, it’s important to choose the right bait that will entice them to bite.

But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. You want to make sure you’re using something that will attract crappies and keep them hooked throughout the night. And let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than spending hours on end without a single bite!

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of crappie fishing at night and explore some of the best baits available. From jigs to live bait, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your next nighttime fishing trip a success. So sit back, relax and get ready to learn about the top crappie baits for catching those elusive fish after dark!

Common Types of Crappie Bait Used at Night

Crappies are known to have a wide variety of bait preferences, depending on their size, location, and the time of the year. Some popular baits that are often used during night fishing include minnows, worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic lures.

Minnows are one of the most popular live baits for crappie fishing at night. They can be used with or without a bobber as they swim around naturally and attract crappies with their scent. Minnows can be hooked through the back or mouth and cast out into the water.

Worms are also commonly used as live bait for crappie fishing at night. Nightcrawlers are highly effective in attracting crappies as they wiggle around in the water and release a strong scent. They can be fished on a hook with or without a bobber.

Jigs are another popular option for catching crappies at night. They come in different colors and sizes but generally have a lead head and a soft plastic body that mimics the movement of insects or small fish. Jigs can be cast out and retrieved slowly to attract crappies in low light conditions.

Other types of artificial lures include:

• Spinnerbaits: These lures have blades that spin around when retrieved in the water, creating vibrations that catch the attention of crappies.
• Soft Plastic Lures: These lures come in various shapes and sizes which mimic small fish or insects which is perfect for tricking crappie.

How Time of Day Affects Crappie Feeding Patterns and Bait Selection

The time of day greatly affects how active crappies will be during feeding and their preferred bait. During the day, crappies tend to be more active and feed on a wider variety of insects, small fish, or crustaceans. However, at night, crappies rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food.

As a result of this change in behavior, live baits such as minnows and worms are often the most effective during nighttime fishing. The scent released by these baits can attract crappies from long distances.

Here are some general guidelines for selecting your bait based on time of day:

• Daytime: Use lures that mimic small fish or insects.
• Nighttime: Use live baits such as minnows and worms with strong scents.

Best Colors and Scents for Crappie Bait at Night

Choosing the right color and scent is essential when targeting crappies at night as they rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food. Dark colors like black or dark blue are ideal choices for fishing in low light conditions as they provide contrast against the water surface.

In terms of scents, natural baits like nightcrawlers or minnows have a strong odor that can attract crappies from far away. Some anglers also recommend adding artificial scents like garlic or anise oil to increase the effectiveness of their bait.

To summarize:

• Choose dark-colored lures or baits with high-contrast features like black or dark blue.
• Use natural baits with strong odors like nightcrawlers or minnows.
• Add artificial scents like garlic or anise oil to enhance your bait’s effectiveness.

Impact of Weather Conditions on Crappie Bait Effectiveness at Night

Weather conditions can have a significant impact on crappie feeding patterns and the effectiveness of your bait. During rainy or overcast weather, crappies are more likely to move to shallow waters where they are easier to catch.

Wind can also play a role in crappie fishing success. A light breeze can help create ripples on the water’s surface, which can attract crappies towards your bait.

Temperature is another crucial factor that affects crappie activity levels. During colder months, crappies tend to move to deeper waters during the day and return to shallower waters at night when temperatures are warmer.

Here are some tips for adjusting your bait selection based on weather conditions:

• Rainy or overcast weather: Use brightly colored lures or baits with high-contrast features like white or chartreuse.
• Windy weather: Use heavier baits that can sink deeper into the water column.
• Colder months: Use live baits like minnows or nightcrawlers that can be fished at different depths in the water.

Live Baits vs. Artificial Lures for Catching Crappie at Night

The debate between live baits and artificial lures has been ongoing for years when it comes to catching crappies at night. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Live baits like minnows and worms offer a natural scent and movement that can be highly effective in attracting crappies during low light conditions. However, live baits require more maintenance, such as keeping them alive and fresh until you’re ready to use them.

Artificial lures like jigs, spinnerbaits, or soft plastic lures come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and scents that allow anglers to mimic the movement and scent of natural prey. They are also more durable and easier to maintain than live baits.

Here are some pros and cons of each option:

• Live Baits: Natural scent and movement, highly effective, require more maintenance.
• Artificial Lures: Versatile, durable, easier to maintain, may not be as effective as live baits in low light conditions.

Fishing Techniques to Enhance the Effectiveness of Crappie Bait at Night

Using the right fishing techniques is essential when targeting crappies at night. One technique that has proven successful is slow trolling or drifting. This involves casting your bait out into the water and letting it drift slowly with the current or wind.

Another technique is vertical jigging, which involves dropping a lure or bait directly below your boat and bouncing it along the bottom of the lake or river.

It’s also important to pay close attention to your rod tip for any signs of nibbles or bites. A slight tapping on your line could indicate that a crappie has taken interest in your bait.

To summarize:

• Slow trolling or drifting: Cast your bait out into the water and let it drift slowly with the current or wind.
• Vertical jigging: Drop a lure or bait directly below your boat and bounce it along the bottom of the lake or river.
• Pay attention to your rod tip for any signs of nibbles or bites.

Tips for Selecting the Best Location to Fish with Crappie Bait at Night

Choosing the right location is crucial when targeting crappies at night. Look for areas with shallow water near deep drop-offs, weed beds, submerged logs, rocks, or other structures. Crappies tend to congregate around these structures waiting for prey to come by.

It’s also essential to pay attention to water temperature and clarity. During colder months, crappies tend to move towards deeper waters during the day and return to shallower areas at night when temperatures are warmer.

Finally, consider the moon phase when planning your night fishing trip. During a full moon, crappies are more likely to be active and feed throughout the night. However, during a new moon or overcast conditions, crappies may be more challenging to catch.

To summarize:

• Look for areas with shallow water near deep drop-offs, weed beds, submerged logs, rocks or other structures.
• Pay attention to water temperature and clarity.
• Consider the moon phase when planning your night fishing trip.

Adjusting Your Approach to Using Crappie Bait at Night Based on Seasonal Changes

Seasonal changes can significantly affect crappie behavior and their preferred bait. During spring, crappies tend to move towards shallower waters as the water warms up. During summer, they may move towards deeper waters during the day and return to shallower areas at night.

During fall and winter months, crappies tend to slow down their activity levels as temperatures drop. They may also move towards deeper waters during this time of year.

To adjust your approach based on seasonal changes:

• Spring: Use live baits like minnows or worms near shallow structures.
• Summer: Use vertical jigging techniques with lures or baits that can sink deeper into the water column.
• Fall/Winter: Use live bait like minnows or nightcrawlers that can be fished at different depths in the water.

In conclusion, the best crappie bait for night fishing can vary depending on several factors such as location, water temperature, and personal preference. It is recommended to experiment with different baits and techniques to find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions about What Is the Best Crappie Bait at Night

What’s better for late night crappie fishing?
It is important to have a variety of depths available for fish to move to throughout the day. Bridges are an excellent location for catching crappie at night because they create funnels that lead to a creek channel with plenty of structure from bridge pillars, supports, and riprap at the ends. This makes it easier to catch fish in this area.

What color crappie jig to use at night?
Orange-white can be effective in certain situations, but all-white is not always the best choice. In murky water or low light conditions, colors like all-brown, brown-orange, black-lime, and all-black have consistently yielded the best results for catching crappie. However, in water with heavy algae blooms, chartreuse and orange tend to be the most effective colors.

What smell attracts crappie?
Toledo Bend Guide Jerry Thompson uses a traditional anise oil injection on crappie baits, and also likes to enhance his live minnow rigs with Berkley Powerbait Crappie Nibbles, a method he calls “adding cheese to the burger”. His preferred color is chartreuse, but he has also found success with the pink version.

Can crappie see in the dark?
Crappies use their black-and-white vision to see well, which allows them to feed at night throughout the year. Their large eyes give them an advantage over small prey fish because they can gather more available light.

How do you attract crappie at night?
In night fishing for crappie, the use of lights is crucial. These lights have the ability to draw plankton, which then lure in baitfish like shad and minnows. These baitfish then become the target of predator fish like crappie, who gather around or inside the illuminated area to feed.

How deep to fish for crappie at night?
To find crappie, you should consider the clarity of the lake water. If the water is clear, they may be found at 20-30 feet, while in stained water, look for them at 10-20 feet and in muddy water, they tend to be at 5-10 feet. Keep in mind that your lights will attract the fish closer to the surface. The key to catching them is to ensure that your bait is at the same level as the feeding fish, neither too deep nor too shallow.